Enhancing Infant Development Through My Place to Play Initiative
My Place to Play initiative focuses on promoting the communication, social, and physical development of babies within the traveling community. It offers a mobile play mat designed to facilitate sensory and motor development, encourage parent-child bonding, and provide quality time for infants in limited living spaces. The multidisciplinary approach involves professionals working collaboratively to address concerns and enhance early childhood development through play-based interactions.
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MY PLACE TO PLAY INFANT PLAY MAT: PROMOTING THE COMMUNICATION, SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF BABIES WITHIN THE TRAVELLING COMMUNITY Vivienne Downes Senior Speech and Language Therapist Lisa Brennan Senior Physiotherapist Rathkeale Health Centre
OVERVIEW My Place to Play Infant Mat Initiative The project in action Content Reflections
MY PLACE TO PLAY: SUMMARY My Place to Play promotes the development and well-being of very young children living in accommodation that has a limited amount of space available for free movement and play. It aims to promote the importance of play; increase developmental activities for babies including tummy time and sensory development; and encourage parent-child bonding. Collaborative Interagency Response to concerns raised that parents had inadequate space to interact with their babies. We recognised our travelling community had similar challenges with limited space. We recognised this as an opportunity for a multidisciplinary Early Intervention and Prevention programme within the community.
MY PLACE TO PLAY: INFANT PLAY MAT A mobile play mat that folds away into a bag after use Includes toys that were specifically designed to promote baby s sensory and motor development Promotes quality time between parent and child Encourages identity and belonging
PROJECT IN ACTION: MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH Public Health Nurse Identifies babies at 3 month check Issues flyer and explains Initiative Group of 6 babies invited by follow up phonecall 30 minute session run jointly by Physiotherapist and SLT Information handouts given (SLT and physio tips) Follow up 2 weeks later by phone to complete survey
SPEECH AND LANGUAGE My Place to Play Mat Promotes the importance of play for children in terms of communication and social and emotional development Promotes and provides parents with the opportunity through play: to connect with their baby to interact with their baby to communicate with their baby to have conversations with their baby to support their baby s speech and language development Source: Marion Byrne. Early Learning Initiative, National College of Ireland.
SPEECH AND LANGUAGE Conversation strategies used with babies from birth develop their speech and language skills i.e. being face to face following their lead taking turns waiting for a response copying what they do using gestures/actions/sounds/words making comments
PHYSIOTHERAPY Free floor time Encourages gross motor movements in the development of functional mobility Tummy time Prevents flattened areas developing on babies head Strengthens neck and shoulder muscles and develops head control Toys included promote motor learning and development
REFLECTION OF MY PLACE TO PLAY Multidisciplinary learning opportunity Benefits of shared goals and outcomes for the client and family Point of engagement with our local community Early Intervention and Prevention Opportunity for new mums in the community to meet and interact Opportunity to identify potential needs of baby and/or mum The right intervention in the right place at the right time
PARENT SURVEY FEEDBACK Good to learn about how to communicate with my child, how to get them rolling and moving She picks up the rattler and round ball and likes the feel of it I learned about interacting and talking to her when I am playing with her She now rolls and I put her on the floor everyday
